The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c17.s4.6

c17.s4.6

Marriage should continue to be regarded as a religious bond, normally indissoluble in this life. This world however is an imperfect one, and so would be also its most sacred ties sometimes. We must therefore frankly recognise that cases may sometimes occur, where religion will have to dissolve the tie it had once created. The conditions of divorce will have to be very stringent, but its necessity in modern times will have to be recognised. There are several cases in Hindu society of women being completely forsaken by their husbands, who are compelled to lead a forlorn life of virtual widowhood. They cannot remarry, because their first marriage tie cannot be dissolved. If, however, they change their religion and become Christians or Muslims, they can dissolve their existing marriage and enter into a new wedlock. Should we penalise these unfortunate women for their fidelity to Hinduism by refusing them permission for divorce and remarriage? We have seen already that ancient Dharmaśāstra writers definitely permit dirvorce under certain circumstances. We would therefore be not going against the spirit of our culture by allowing divorce, in case a wife is completely abandoned by her husband. To allow divorce on wider grounds like cruelty, insanity, etc., would be neither advisable nor desirable for women.